Hiatal Hernia Diagnosis And Treatment

Hiatal Hernia Diagnosis And Treatment

Normally a hiatal hernia is discovered when evaluating a patient for another condition. When the patient presents to the doctor due to a burning sensation, heat or chest pain, the doctor will ask the patient about symptoms and characteristics of hiatal hernia that will guide him to perform certain tests if the following conditions are present:

• Heartburn for a long time
• Symptoms not relieved by medication
• Symptoms return after cessation of drug treatment
• Other signs are present such weight loss, vomiting blood or dysphagia.

If any of these symptoms are present it is probably a case of esophageal reflux disease. Hiatal hernia and esophageal reflux disease coexist in many cases. The doctor will now indicate specific tests to confirm the diagnosis. Most hiatal hernias are diagnosed using barium examination, an imaging technique that examines the upper digestive tract. The patient will swallow a mixture of barium and water, the mixture will pass through the esophagus to the stomach and initial portion of the small intestine (duodenum), being followed by a fluoroscopy connected to a monitor, which uses X-rays to detect the passage of the mixture. Superior gastrointestinal endoscopy – a procedure that the physician uses to visualize the esophagus, stomach and small intestine using a thin flexible tube that is called an endoscope – it is a common method of diagnosis of hiatal hernia. If chest pain and dyspnea are present, further investigations for heart disease are performed.

Hiatal Hernia Treatment

Hiatal Hernia General Measures

A sliding hiatal hernia that causes no symptoms, does not require any specific treatment. If symptoms of hiatal hernia are present, then they can range from mild to severe. Severe symptoms of esophageal reflux disease can usually be successfully treated with the aid of medication. In some cases, less common, sliding hiatal hernia can be treated surgically – fundoplasty, the hernia is restored in the chest cavity and sutured so that it remains in the abdominal cavity. Mild or occasional symptoms can be treated using only lifestyle changes and certain drugs that do not require prescription. In the case of paraesophageal hernia or mixed hernia surgery is usually recommend in order to avoid complications. This requires the patient to present to the doctor as soon as possible.

Hiatal Hernia Home Treatment

In case of sliding hiatal hernia there is no need for medication or surgery.  Mild symptoms of burning or heartburn can be relieved by making some lifestyle changes:

• Smoking cessation. Nicotine found in cigarettes relaxes the lower esophageal valve. This will lead to gastric reflux from the stomach into the esophagus, which will cause heartburn.
• Eating habits change. For example avoid coffee and alcohol and eat meals in smaller quantities and more frequent. This will decrease the risk of heartburn. When you talk to your doctor about changing eating habits is good to bring your life partner.
• Weight loss for overweight patients. The extra pounds increase the pressure on the stomach and increases the likelihood of heartburn. Even a few pounds weight loss is beneficial
• Avoid pressure on the stomach to decrease the likelihood of heartburn. Avoid to stretch the back for 2 to 3 hours after eating and avoid tight clothing around the stomach
• Cephalic extremity of the patient (the head) is raised to 15 to 20 cm by lifting the mattress with certain devices. This will reduce the stomach contents reflux during sleep. Using pillows for neck lift is not beneficial because they can cause a stiff neck, which can aggravate heartburn. Along with some lifestyle changes, drugs that do not need a prescription can be taken to control mild symptoms. These include antacids and acid secretion blockers, antacids.